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Mixed-media leaf artwork with oil paint, lobed green and pale leaves behind white vertical brushwork, suggesting winter

Ginkgo Leaves in Autumn and Winter

Theme and Variations

I meant to show works from a new series today. They seem promising to me, though perhaps a little crude at first glance. Their appeal may emerge with a closer look. Or not; what do I know?

Instead, here are a few studies returning to a subject I have shown before: leaves, and the idea of Poetry from the Sky.

Just outside my house is a small meadow I am particularly fond of. The ginkgo tree there certainly has something to do with it. In autumn, sunlight flickers gold through its crown.

In late autumn the gold lies in the meadow – ginkgo leaves. And then death gently breathes on them.

Mixed-media artwork with ochre ginkgo leaves, oil paint on wood and golden Chinese calligraphy against turquoise, evoking late autumn
Ginkgo leaves and oil paint on wood — autumn colour set beside a Chinese poem.

And in winter, a few leaves in that meadow always manage to peep through the light snow cover. It’s like when you look through a curtain into the winter day – only the other way around.

Winter leaf study in mixed media: pale veined leaves and stems partly veiled by white and blue-grey brushwork
A winter leaf study — mixed media, with pale brushwork suggesting a curtain of snow.

There is something lyrical in these leaves and their changing appearance. That is what once led me to combine them with a Chinese poem in calligraphy.

I have shown variations on summer and autumn before. Here are further winter studies, using different leaf shapes:

Mixed-media winter leaf study with five pale veined leaves, a dark vertical division and faint writing on a blue-grey ground
Mixed-media leaf artwork with lobed green and pale leaves behind white vertical brushwork, suggesting the approach of winter

While one anticipates the coming winter, the other peers to see if spring is finally approaching.

An Extra: A Dedication

From time to time, I may dedicate a painting or a post to someone, simply as a way of saying thank you. This one is for Edith Hornauer. We have not met. Why dedicate it to her?

I happened upon one of her poems and enjoyed it. I left a comment; she sent a warm reply. A familiar enough exchange, yet there was something striking about her warmth. I am not always comfortable receiving such kindness, but a friendly line in the morning can make the day. And that is a great deal.

Related articles: My Love for Old Leaves · Withered Leaves and Blossoms · How an Idea Takes Root and Persists

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Available Artworks

Original works are available on FriedrichZettl.com and Saatchi Art

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51 responses to “Ginkgo Leaves in Autumn and Winter”

  1. Edith avatar
    Edith

    Deine Gingo- Pappel- und Ahornblätter sind so toll in ihrem Winterkleid. Sie haben es verdient, auch im Winter noch hervorgehoben zu werden, denn ihre Herbstkleidfarbe, ihr Gold und Rot ist unbeschreiblich schön anzusehen…
    Dir ein feines Wochenende, ein gutes, kreatives…
    wünsche ich dir von Herzen,
    Edith

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Danke, Edith, das ist sehr freundlich! Eigentlich wollte ich diesen Beitrag Dir widmen, war dann aber nicht sicher, ob das angebracht ist. Gold und Rot und alle anderen Farben sind auf dem Weg zu Dir.

      Reply
      1. Edith avatar
        Edith

        Wow, glaubs, ich hätte mich gefreut darüber. Nun nehme ich die Farben entgegen, egal, wie sie kommen, sie werden die Tristheit durchdringen… DANKE, du Lieber. Ich bin grad dabei, deine dazu unterlegten Worte anzuklicken, um genau nachzulesen. Und ich finde Gutes, das, was deiner Kunst, der Natur gerecht wird. Du kannst so viel in so Wenigem verstecken, dass es immer neugierig macht…

      2. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
        Zettl Fine Arts

        Widmung habe ich nachgeholt. Gib mit Bescheid, wenn ich was aendern soll. lg f

  2. rabirius avatar
    rabirius

    I especially like the winter version.
    It really looks like the leaves were covered in snow.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! Just fooling around but knowing/hoping that something useful will come of it at some point 🙂 Happy weekend!

      Reply
  3. olivia2010kroth avatar
    olivia2010kroth

    Alle Achtung! Diese Serie ist wunderschön. Ich liebe Ginko-Blätter sowohl in der Natur als auch in der Kunst. Und natûrlich nicht zu vergessen – die Literatur: Goethe!

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Vielen herzlichen Dank! Ja, ich dachte noch, ein literarisches Beispiel anzufuegen.

      Reply
      1. olivia2010kroth avatar
        olivia2010kroth

        Goethe wäre wohl ein gutes literarisches Beispiel, aber es gibt sicher auch andere – vielleicht aus dem asiatischen Bereich?

  4. Edith avatar
    Edith

    Lieber Friedrich-Freund. Mir stehen in meinem DankesLächeln für dich Tränen in den Augen. Danke, dass du meine Gedichte und damit mich so in eine Widmung eingebunden hast. Es übertrifft grad alles, was ich zu denken vermag. DANKE. Wir bleiben verbunden, auch wenn wir uns persönlich nicht kennen. Dabei kennen wir uns so sehr gut. Ich umarme dich einfach mal aus der Ferne aus tiefstem Herzen…. ❤

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Ja, das ist mein Los: ich bringe immer alle Maedels zum Weinen….

      Reply
      1. Edith avatar
        Edith

        Lächel, diesmal wars vor Glück, denn so etwas bekam ich noch nie geschenkt… ❤

  5. Spira avatar
    Spira

    The autumn version brought in mind a haiku by Basho:
    “Such things as cherished tears
    color
    the scattered red leaves.”

    Needless to say, I loved your creations.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! That’s really a nice Haiku. Well, all of Basho is mindblowing.

      Reply
  6. julianeus avatar
    julianeus

    BEAUTIFUL!!

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! Enjoy a great weekend!

      Reply
  7. swabby429 avatar
    swabby429

    The sheer curtains allow only the essential leaf forms to appear. I also ponder the possible symbolism of the seven amber leaves in the other painting.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you! Yes, eactly. In the traditional Chinese culture, Seven represents the combination of Yin, Yang and Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth). This combination is considered as “harmony” in the ideology of Confucianism. While in Chinese Taoism, it stands for Tao which has a close connection with kindness and beauty. (source: travelchinaguide.com/)

      Reply
      1. swabby429 avatar
        swabby429

        Thank you for clarifying the number meanings.

  8. The Sicilian Storyteller avatar
    The Sicilian Storyteller

    Friedrich, these pieces are breathtaking. Thank you for sharing this exquisite post with us. 🍂 🍁

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      You are always so kind! All I can do is to send you a big bunch of sunbeams and my sincere thanks 😊

      Reply
      1. The Sicilian Storyteller avatar
        The Sicilian Storyteller

        Danke! Das ist sehr gut! I will gladly accept those sunbeams! ☀️ (Yes, I attended a German school but sadly retain very little of what I learned!)

      2. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
        Zettl Fine Arts

        Ha, mein Italienisch ist wahrscheinlich schlechter als Dein Deutsch 😆🌹

      3. The Sicilian Storyteller avatar
        The Sicilian Storyteller

        Ich wäre mir nicht so sicher! 😂

  9. rose avatar
    rose

    Dear Friedrich,your gingkopaintings whether summer or winter are full of poetry and sublime power. – you made my day!

    Reply
  10. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
    Zettl Fine Arts

    Thank you so much, Rose, I am glad you like them! And soon there will be green ginkgo leaves on those trees. Hopefully 🥂

    Reply
  11. Stacey C. Johnson avatar
    Stacey C. Johnson

    These are gorgeous, Friedrich. There’s a haunting beauty that invites reading and re-reading.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much, Stacey! I am glad you like it. Have a most wonderful weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  12. mic avatar
    mic

    👏👏👏🖼️

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much! Best wishes 🙂

      Reply
  13. Mike and Kellye Hefner avatar
    Mike and Kellye Hefner

    Lovely words and lovely leaves.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! You are kind as always 🙂

      Reply
  14. Ashley avatar
    Ashley

    Your paintings are amazing! The curtains I want to wrap around me; the way you have painted the fabrics is a sheer delight. The first, autumn, is so beautiful I would love to gift it to my wife as the colours are her favourites; there is also something in the shape of a gingko leaf that fills me with peace (?)

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you Ashley! You are very kind! I am glad you like them. If you need the painting as a gift, just let me know. Sure we can work something out. Enjoy a great day!

      Reply
  15. Rosaliene Bacchus avatar
    Rosaliene Bacchus

    Love them all! From letting go of what holds us back in the autumn painting to the serenity of the winter chill.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! I am glad you like them!

      Reply
  16. kiangablog avatar
    kiangablog

    I am seeing the ginkgo tree and its beautiful leaves in a new way. You have captured the allure of nature in such a stunning way that draws one in. Lovely colours and light. Lynn

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much, Lynn, for your kind wirds and encouragement! I am happy that you noticed the aspect of light. Enjoy a wonderful day! friedrich

      Reply
  17. Belladonna avatar
    Belladonna

    Oh wow! They are all so beautiful

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much! How kind of you! 😉

      Reply
      1. Belladonna avatar
        Belladonna

        You’re very talented and you’re welcome

  18. Armann and Kaymann avatar
    Armann and Kaymann

    Your writing is warm and thoughtful.

    Your art is very good and asks for engagement. Both forward looking and back, both seasons and leaves come and go with little thought given as to why or how by humans.

    Reply
  19. Yelling Rosa avatar
    Yelling Rosa

    Hi,
    Nice post.
    I like this post, but my gravatar doesn’t show up.
    Take care 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! Yes, the are tech problems from time to time 😑

      Reply
  20. AT SUNNYSIDE - WHERE TRUTH AND BEAUTY MEET avatar
    AT SUNNYSIDE – WHERE TRUTH AND BEAUTY MEET

    Oh, I do love these! They really are lyrical. 😎🌺

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! I am happy to hear that 🙏

      Reply
  21. luisa farina avatar
    luisa farina

    The Gjnko biloba leaves seem a feast in the Sky …I like it.compliments!😀

    Reply
  22. internotrentuno avatar
    internotrentuno

    I LOVE IT!

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
      1. internotrentuno avatar
        internotrentuno

        👌🏻

  23. my love for old leaves

    […] bookmarks articles: Ginko leaves in autumn and winter, What game shall we play […]

    Reply

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